Chapter 4, The Roommate

"He's my conscience. He tells me what's right and wrong." - Pinocchio

Puppetta sat at her desk getting a yellow notebook out. The teacher then walked in. "Morning class. Today we're going to start off with a few problems." She writes them on the board.

Which number(s) is(are) equal to its (their) square?

Which number(s) is(are) equal to half its (their) square?

Which number(s) is(are) equal to a quarter of its (their) square?

A carriage travels from A to B at a speed of 40 mph then returns, using the same road, from B to A at a speed of 60 mph. What is the average speed for the round trip?

Puppetta writes them in her notebook. The first three sounded a little tricky. But the last one seemed rather easy. She just needed to use the formula for speed.

A couple of students threw wads of paper at her. Puppetta just ignored them and continued to work. If you ignore them, they will keep digging at you. Stand up for yourself, they'll retaliate. There is no way out once you are a target.

"Oh Puppetta, I nearly forgot; the headmistress wants to see you." Said the teacher, the other students looked at Puppetta like she was in trouble. Worried, the daughter of Pinocchio gets up from her seat and heads to Fairy Godmother's office. Did she unknowingly break a rule? Was someone trying to get her in trouble? The latter would be ridiculous due to her being unable to lie. If she got accused, she can just say she didn't do it and her nose won't grow. She most likely did something she didn't know was wrong. But what could it have been?

Puppetta sat in the office messing with her cat charm bracelet. The office made her a little uncomfortable. There were motivational posters everywhere, and the color scheme of the room was of light blues, pinks, and whites. Puppetta knew the atmosphere was supposed to be welcoming. But she saw it more as, "Be good or else". The Headmistress looked at her with a warm and bright smile. That smile annoyed Puppetta.

"Puppetta...recently there are some kids from the Isle coming to adjust to Auradon's ways…" She began. Some? The only VKs she heard of arriving here were obviously Carlos, Evie, Jay, and Mal. Who would forget? But also Freddie and CJ. She has not heard about anyone else. But then again she rarely gets involved with school gossip because most of the time she felt like the students were talking about her.

"And we figured someone with your kind and honest nature would be a wonderful influence for someone who has lived over there."

We? What did she mean by We? Who also thought about this?

"I'm getting a roommate?" She asked.

"Yes! You will be a fantastic help! You're the type of friend children of villains need. You are truthful, loyal, and thoughtful."

Puppetta doubted that a villain kid would like her. Auradon kids don't even like her. Who would want to be friends with a girl who grew up in Villaggio whose father is a toymaker? She'd bore them. She thought about her cousin Jenny thinking about what would happen if she was a student here and they assigned her to be roommates with a villain kid. Puppetta thought she would make a nice conscience. Thinking about that happening made her want to giggle.

As for being truthful. She had no choice. It would be nice to lie sometimes. Like if something embarrassing happened to you and you don't feel like talking about it? Just lie. If you accidentally missed an event that you were supposed to go to? Just lie. Have a secret party planned for your best friend? Lie so you won't spoil the surprise.

"I've been watching you Puppetta. You could use a friend as well."

So she watched the other students pick on her but did nothing about it? Puppetta wondered to herself. Puppetta only answers with a nod.

Fairy Godmother clapped. "So, it's settled! We'll let you know when she arrives!"

Puppetta smiled shyly.

"Don't worry Puppetta. I know you'll be a wonderful help." Said the headmistress. The daughter of Pinocchio remained silent waiting to be dismissed.

"You can go back to class now."

Puppetta got up and left the office. She didn't want to go back to class so soon. They would probably throw more stuff at her again. She decided to visit her aunt. She walked to the counselor's office and saw that she was talking to a girl through the door window. The girl had dark brown hair tied up in a bun with a red ribbon, fair skin, black thick-rimmed glasses. She had on a light blue top, navy blue skirt, and dark grey ankle boots. Puppetta has seen her before. It was Duchess. The daughter of Cinderellasburg's Grand Duke. It was rather amusing that the Duke would name her after a title. Is her name Duchess Duchess? Is a daughter of a Duke called a Duchess? Puppetta sometimes sees her and Cindy together. When she's not with Cindy, she's sitting alone by herself. There are times when Puppetta wanted to walk up to her and talk to her, but she was afraid of getting into crossfire with Cindy. There was also the fact that Duchess helps Cindy with her website. Puppetta didn't know what type of relationship they had. But if she didn't want to get into any drama with Cindy it was best to avoid the people she talks to. But still...why would Duchess need to go to a counselor? Puppetta began to walk back to class. After walking for a few minutes she heard someone say "Hey." Puppetta turned around. It was Duchess.

"You're Puppetta correct?" She asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Cindy talks about you." She said.

"Bad things I bet."

"She does, but I don't believe them," Duchess said. Puppetta just shrugged. She wasn't sure why this girl was talking to her.

"Can you meet me at my dorm after class?"

"Why?"

"I want to talk to you about something."

"Why?"

"Because you seem nice."

"Is this some sort of trick?"

"No…" She said.

"How do I know you're not lying?" Asked Puppetta.

"I guess you're just going to have to trust me." Duchess answered.

"Alright," Puppetta said. Something bothered her though. Maybe she was just fearing Cindy's wrath. Duchess gets out a small notebook, wrote down her dorm number then gave it to Puppetta before leaving. Puppetta went back to class and saw a fake nose in her chair. Did the teacher not see who did this? Or did see it and just didn't care brushing it off as a harmless prank. She brushed off the nose and sat down.

"So how bad was it?" Whispered Rosemary. Rosemary is the daughter of the famous detective Basil. She is a tall and lanky mousey looking girl with stringy light brown hair. She will occasionally talk to Puppetta for a bit. But Pupetta preferred keeping distance from her. Rosemary was sarcastic most of the time, and whenever she spoke there was always a rude undertone in her voice. She also asked a lot of nosey questions. Probably a trait from being a daughter of a detective.

"It could have been worse. They want me to be roommates with a villain kid." Puppetta whispered back.

"How can anything be worse than that? They might steal your stuff. Or plot something against you." Rosemary said. Puppetta just rolled her eyes.

"So, do you know who they are?"

"I don't."

"When are you going to find out?"

"I don't know," Puppetta said getting annoyed with the questions.

"Do you know when they're coming?"

"When they tell me." She said.

"What else did they tell you?"

Puppetta looked at her like she was telling her, "Shut up." Rosemary rolled her eyes and went back to work.